While there is no immediate fix or convenient solution for an unplanned pregnancy, options and resources are available for women facing this situation. If you are feeling worried, anxious, or pressured by financial or relational stressors because of your pregnancy, the important thing to know is that there is hope, and you are not alone.
One of the options you may be considering is abortion. This is available through medication that ends the pregnancy and forces your body to expel it (like a miscarriage) or through surgical removal.
Side effects of abortion usually include a certain level of discomfort, although it varies from person to person. If you want to learn more about the risks and side effects of abortion, you can read this article for a high-level overview.
What Are the Different Types of Abortion?
Surgical
In a surgical abortion, an in-person visit to a clinic is required. First, the cervix is dilated, and then suction or gynecological tools are used to remove the pregnancy from the uterus.
Medical
A medical abortion, also known as the abortion pill, requires a set of two medications: mifepristone and misoprostol.
Mifepristone prevents the pregnancy from receiving a hormone called progesterone. Without progesterone, the pregnancy cannot grow, resulting in fetal demise.
Misoprostol is then taken 24-48 hours later to induce uterine cramping, so the fetus and pregnancy tissues are expelled.
What Sort of Side-effects Should I Expect if I Get an Abortion?
Medical
According to the Mayo Clinic, they may also cause these side effects:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Chills
- Diarrhea
- Headache
If you are getting an abortion, you can expect to feel some discomfort. Additionally, common symptoms are heavy bleeding and cramps.
Surgical
According to the Mayo Clinic, potential side effects of surgical abortion include…
- Cramping
- Bleeding (including blood clots)
- Nausea/vomiting
- Sweating
- Feeling faint
Depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy, the types of possible complications can range. If your pregnancy is less than 14 weeks gestational age, the main risks are:
- Incomplete abortion: this happens to about 35 out of 1,000 women
- Heavy bleeding
- Damage to the womb (which can affect future infertility, according to Cleveland Clinic)
- Sepsis: this happens to about 1 out of 1,000 women
Next Steps
If you are considering an abortion, the best first step is to schedule a no-cost ultrasound at our center. An ultrasound gives you valuable information, such as the age of the pregnancy, which can affect your eligibility for a medication abortion.
Additionally, ultrasounds can help confirm whether or not you have an ectopic pregnancy or a miscarriage. Both conditions require a procedure other than an elective abortion.
It is best to arm yourself with the facts before you make a final decision. At our office, we also provide an opportunity for you to ask our trained staff questions about the pregnancy process and discuss your options in a non-judgemental environment. Contact us today!